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One of the largest and most spectacular examples of a full-fledged yachting and exploration vessel, 126-meter Octopus is equipped with highly sophisticated technology. Espen Øino International designed the striking exterior with a blue and white hull and superstructure, featuring two helipads and a hangar aft. The superyacht is capable of exploration and scientific research voyages requiring months at sea. One of her key features is an integrated dock for both the principal 20-meter guest tender and two submarines for exploring marine life, one of which is remotely controlled for reaching greater depths. Octopus also houses a professional music studio and a grandiose cinema, created by interior designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.
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Inside Octopus: Origin story of the 126m superyacht finally revealed
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The barest of details have been revealed about the mysterious Octopus over the past 19 years. But with a new owner and on the charter market for the first time, the 126-metre Lürssen superyacht is finally ready to reveal her secrets past and present…
One of the best things about flying into the South of France is the view. The brilliant blue coastline is peppered with hundreds of yachts. On this flight, however, just one of the boats below us demands our attention: the 126-metre explorer Octopus .
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-1-900-600x336.jpg)
The following day, in the port of Marseille where her new owner’s team is wrapping up a refit before Octopus departs for the Galápagos, I finally see her up close. Her navy-blue hull and skyscraper decks are incredibly impressive, while on the inside she is welcoming and warm. Although she has been refitted, her history is palpable. There’s much to learn about Octopus , and everyone involved in her story is finally ready to talk, after decades of silence.
Why was Octopus such a secret? In 1998, strict non-disclosure agreements were issued all around to protect the privacy of her original owner, the late American entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft. “It was the first time I was faced with an NDA,” says Espen Øino , who has gone on to sign hundreds over the years. “NDAs are strict and long lasting and don’t necessarily pass when the client does,” notes Jonathan Quinn Barnett , who created Octopus ’s original interior. “I had deep respect and admiration for Mr Allen, so to be able to say even a few words about Octopus now is marvellous.”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-2-900-600x336.jpg)
For builder Lürssen, the story started with a bit of detective work. The German shipyard’s sales director, Michael Breman, heard about a mysterious box that was loaded onto Allen’s 60.6-metre Feadship Méduse , which supposedly contained a scale model of a new vessel.
“I figured out that something was going on and we ought to be involved,” he says. “So I contacted Paul Allen’s broker, [ Fraser’s ] Stuart Larsen, to ask some questions.”
Some time after, during a trip to the South of France, Breman received the go-ahead to submit a bid and arranged for a fax containing the brief to be sent to Øino’s office in Monaco. “Put that into context, this is 1998!” Øino says with a laugh. “Michael was in our office as the fax came in and going through it, we just couldn’t believe the brief, we thought it was totally crazy.”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-3-900-600x339.jpg)
The brief called for an industrial-style yacht with the appearance and capability of the Finnish multipurpose icebreaker Fennica , built in 1993. Luckily, Øino knew the vessel. “I had a photo of Fennica from a few years earlier when I visited her while cruising with another client in the fjords,” says the designer. What he went on to sketch in pencil and model for the presentation was a sturdy explorer with two interchangeable options for the bow and the wheelhouse. “What is remarkable is that the original sketches and ideas are so close to what it actually became,” Breman says.
Another key part of the brief was for all toys and tenders, including a helicopter, a submarine and a floatplane, to be carried in a concealed way. So Øino drew a methodical general arrangement that included a two-level 36-metre-long floodable garage opening at the stern. “Launching so many toys over the side of the boat wasn’t the optimum idea and would affect the stability; a lot of heeling would occur,” the designer says.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-4-900-600x335.jpg)
Instead, working with the rules that oversee subdivisions inside a ship’s hull – and deal with damage stability calculations – he created one very long and tall compartment on the yacht’s centreline with a floodable dock flanked by rows of smaller garages to store the entire toy inventory of what became known as Project Octopus.
“At Lürssen, we give everything a project name, and my daughter came up with Octopus ,” says Breman. “Along with Paul’s love for diving, plus the fact that his previous yacht was Méduse [“jellyfish” in French], we thought Octopus was a perfect project name. Little did we know then that Octopus would be her name once completed and delivered.” Øino says. “She was our 15th project enquiry in 1998, and so in my office, she was known as 9815.”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-5-900-600x337.jpg)
The proposal Lürssen created with Øino was successful, but the German shipyard soon had to resolve its first quandary – it didn’t have a shed available. “We ended up having to build her with a partner in Kiel,” Breman says. It also had to solve the matter of the explorer’s floodable garage, which had to be approved by class. “After researching multiple alternatives, the first idea that Espen drew was the one that worked the best,” he adds. “Our in-house model department then built a scale model of the garage to demonstrate how it could work. We even tested it by driving a tender in and out.”
Octopus’ s interior, meanwhile, came from a young American designer who had recently relocated from London where he’d worked with Jon Bannenberg , to Seattle. The owner’s team chose Barnett from a small pool of interior designers to embellish the complex GA of the largest and most advanced explorer yacht ever built at the time.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-6-900-600x340.jpg)
“Paul Allen’s team told me the safest route would be to follow the creative direction of the owner’s two previous Feadship designs,” the designer says. “I did the opposite!” And the result was what Barnett describes as a “floating laboratory”, a timeless design perfectly suited to a creative genius. Included in the layout were out-of-the-box features such as a fully equipped medical centre, a storm cabin made to keep those who needed it comfortable in bad weather and a professional recording studio. “Back then, no yacht was capable of non-stop circumnavigation, while cutting an album for U2,” he says. Mick Jagger, Usher and Joss Stone are also said to have spent time in the studio – a claim no other superyacht is ever likely to make.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-7-900-600x335.jpg)
Barnett took a simple approach to the interior decor. While some walls are painted a neutral colour, others are covered in bee’s wing-figured eucalyptus, and it’s this vast amount of wood panelling that gives the hardy explorer the warm, comfortable feeling of a home. For Allen and Barnett, the walls were just another fun puzzle to solve. “The geometry of the panels is elegant mathematics, something Mr Allen really appreciated,” Barnett says. “The handmade veneer arrived on custom-made grids, which fitted within the yacht’s own uniquely built steel frame spacing.” The walls do not just provide insulation and conceal cableways, but originally held the ever-changing art gallery on each deck. What’s on the walls today are snapshots of Octopus ’s adventures over the years: panoramas of Patagonian icebergs, portraits of local tribe members in Tahiti and landscapes of Asia’s ancient golden temples.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-8-900-600x336.jpg)
An original feature that remains on the yacht to this day is an unusual timekeeping device. Braided stainless-steel shrouds from a sailing vessel are strung on either side of the grand staircase from lower to upper deck, and they function as a clock. “I combined the old tradition of having a central clock on board a ship with my client’s unique passions for modern sculpture, mathematics, art and music,” Barnett explains. “I subcontracted a 102-year-old German specialist clock company to make it, and – I’ll tell you a secret – I used digital audio software from Apple for the tunes. Sorry, Microsoft!” he says with a laugh. “I thought the clock might become a helpful visual cue to help guests find some critical orientation. Every 15 minutes, the strings could play anything from The Bells of St Mary’s to Jimi Hendrix!”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-9-900-600x336.jpg)
Octopus was also fitted with an huge amount of onboard electronics. “Of course, the co-founder of Microsoft required more than 54 tonnes of AV and IT equipment on board,” Øino says with a smile. While the bulk of the wiring went to the studio, each cabin was assigned 60 cables for computers, entertainment systems and more, including touchscreens – which in 1998, was an exciting innovation. “They were amazing,” says Øino, “so far ahead of their time.” The touchscreens are still used today by the crew, who also use iPads as infotainment control panels for elements such as lighting and music in guest areas.
When Octopus launched in 2003, it was clear she had broken new ground. With diesel-electric propulsion consisting of two ABB electric motors and eight MTU 16V 4000 M50 diesel engines, she was perfectly equipped to travel anywhere in the world. “ Octopus was always on the go,” Øino says. “Diesel-electric wasn’t commonplace in the early millennium,” he observes, and “ Octopus was the first yacht with dynamic positioning.”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-10-900-600x337.jpg)
The project propelled Lürssen into the large-yacht segment and her designers had a huge career boost. “ Octopus blew everyone away,” Breman says. “The idea and the design are something unprecedented.” What the first aerial photographs of the yacht could make out were her winged wheelhouse, long swimming pool, two helidecks and hangars and a basketball court. Whereas on the inside, areas such as the dive centre with hyperbaric chamber, 12 cabins and private owner’s deck with its own lift, terrace and spa pool were out of sight.
After a decade of extensive travelling, Octopus ’s engines had to be overhauled. However, her interior had worn well. “There was nothing that required a major redesign or change,” Barnett says. “All the original architecture, spaces, surfaces and design details still performed exceptionally well. Seeing it made me immensely proud.”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-11-900-600x336.jpg)
Although she was well-maintained and in full working order, in 2019 she was sent for a refit at the Lürssen-owned Blohm+Voss shipyard to prepare her for the market several months after Allen passed in 2018. She had spent two decades playing host to many parties, concerts, discoveries and expeditions, and the legacy needed to continue.
In 2021, a new owner came along with plans to make her available for select charters. Transforming Octopus into the remarkable charter yacht that he envisioned required a few more changes. The owner’s team enlisted Adriana Monk of Monk Design to retouch several spaces. Top of the list was replacing the recording studio.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-12-900-600x339.jpg)
“Unless you’re really into music, a studio is a niche thing to have,” says Alan Pike, one of two rotational captains. Now in the studio’s prime position – aft on the bridge deck – is a modern bar/ lounge. On either side of the new bar, new guitars hang from the original wall mounts and the grand piano has stayed put. In keeping with the beach bar look Monk created, new bleached oak flooring matches the original weathered teak deck outside.
“The vocal booth is now a DJ booth,” says the captain. “We’ve kept the soundproofing, so this place is perfect for a party, or any kind of dining.” With a new sound system and outdoor lighting, “we can really go for it”. Outdoors, there’s a glass- bottom pool that, at the touch of a button, can be made into an on-water dance floor. There’s also a wood-fired pizza oven, a service bar with a beer tap and three barbecue cooking stations.
On the entertainment deck, the former formal dining room became a wine bar. On the ceiling are scenes from Allen’s 2015 shipwreck dive to the Second World War battleship Musashi in the Philippines. “I was granted exclusive access to the ROV footage of the Musashi expedition to select shipwreck stills for the backlit ceiling,” Monk says.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-13-900-600x336.jpg)
Nearby, the guest observation lounge was, and still is, a firm favourite. “To dine here while cruising is a joy that’s hard to describe,” says Barnett. “I like to think of this area’s design as a mid-century sunken living room.” The feeling is created by two large sofas that snake around the room looking out over the bow. The seats look low, but the view is perfect. The rest of the deck is fun and social, as there’s also a 12-seat 4D cinema, the owner’s chef ’s galley, a table-tennis table, gym, smoothie bar, hair and massage salons and a grand library, complete with an ethanol fireplace.
Soft beige and cream carpets with wave patterns have replaced patterned blue and green rugs, and in addition to the new custom-designed pieces, free-standing items of furniture selected by Monk have helped give the interior a feel that suits Octopus ’s new charter lifestyle. But it’s nothing dramatic. “We have kept as much as possible true to the original,” the captain says. “I strove to respect the spirit of Octopus while capturing the new owner’s lifestyle and vision,” Monk adds. “It was an intense and challenging project.”
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-14-900-600x338.jpg)
The yacht’s charter schedule was entrusted to Camper & Nicholsons . Octopus ’s range of 12,500 nautical miles and true explorer credentials offer a huge scope for charter, and as the ripples prove on the hull’s strong plating, she is more than capable of going the distance. “She can do anything!” says charter marketing manager Gayle Patterson, who has already booked the superyacht on two excursions to Antarctica. The demand has been equal to the yacht’s renown. “We’ve grown our yacht management team to give her the care she deserves,” she adds.
Since Octopus was delivered, many more superyachts have adopted technologically forward designs and groundbreaking engineering and have undertaken impressive expeditions. But none have achieved what Octopus has. As she continues to move around the world, more people will get the opportunity to step on board. And when they do, perhaps they will feel the undeniable magic that seems to linger. One thing is for sure: wherever Octopus carries her guests, it is a journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-15-900-600x337.jpg)
The Toy Chest
Built to explore, Octopus has an incredible fleet that revolves around the cavernous 36-metre internal wet dock where the two main tenders are stored and launched through a giant transom door. Today the main tender is an 18-metre Delta 54, built in carbon with an impressive range of 450nm at 30 knots; the original was Man-of-War , an 18-metre custom Vikal, later replaced by a 13-metre Hinckley. Sharing that space was a yellow 10-person custom submarine, named Pagoo . A new Triton 3300/6 will take that spot when it is delivered in early 2023. Most of the other tenders have dedicated garages on either side of the wet dock. They are a 9.3-metre custom Vikal limousine and two 8.7-metre custom Zodiacs, one for diving, the other for guests. Two 5.8-metre Zodiac Milpro MK-V are also available for watersports, as is an array of WaveRunners, jet skis, kayaks, surfboards, wakeboards, kitesurfers, windsurfers and electric foil Fliteboards, plus plenty of diving equipment, The icing on the cake is a remotely controlled submarine (ROV) able to dive to 2,700 metres. To conclude this impressive list, Octopus has two helipads and a helicopter hangar for two. Moving forward, helicopters will be chartered as needed.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-16-900-600x337.jpg)
The Voyages
Octopus is one of the most active superyachts ever built. Multiple circumnavigations, the Northwest Passage , the High Arctic, Antarctica , Papua New Guinea and Challenger Deep were all on the menu. One of Paul Allen’s passions was naval history. A few missions that offered the opportunity for great discoveries were well publicised, like the discovery of the Japanese warship Musashi in the Sibuyan Sea in March 2015 after eight years of intense work. The largest battleship ever built (aside from her sistership) sank in October 1944, but the exact location was unknown. OctoROV took the first photos of this lost wreck in a depth of 1,000 metres. Later that year, in August, after two attempts, another expedition recovered the bell of HMS Hood , sunk by the Germans off Greenland in 1941.
![octopus yacht inside](https://europeanlifemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/boat-article-picture-17-900-600x336.jpg)
And it looks like the story will continue. Octopus , according to BOAT Pro data, has already cruised 9,047 nautical miles since leaving Marseille after her refit in December. In less than three months, she had already crossed the Atlantic and visited Panama including Coiba, Costa Rica and Cocos Island and the Galápagos. This winter, Camper & Nicholsons has announced that she will be heading south to test her ice-class capabilities in the frozen landscapes of Antarctica once again.
For more information please visit: www.boatinternational.com
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OCTOPUS Interior & Exterior Photos
126.2m / 414'1 lurssen 2003 / 2021.
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Charter Octopus
To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or
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Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.
Yachts in your shortlist
The Octopus, a 414-foot superyacht formerly owned by Microsoft's cofounder, can be chartered for $2.2 million — take a look at the vessel
- A 414-foot luxury yacht, one of the world's most expensive, can be chartered starting at $2.2 million a week.
- The yacht is already seeing bookings and interest for this winter and next summer, Bloomberg reported.
- See inside the luxury ship, which can accommodate 12 guests and 42 crew members.
One of the world's largest and most expensive megayachts with a famed past can now be yours to charter for a week to Antarctica …
Source: Bloomberg
… as long as you have millions of dollars to spend and a lust for ultra luxury travel.
The Octopus, a 414-foot luxury megayacht, can be chartered for trips around Europe, the Americas, and Antarctica starting at $2.2 million a week with yacht firm Camper and Nicholsons.
This multimillion-dollar price tag is definitely heft. But the ship is one of the largest and most expensive explorer yachts ever built, and was previously owned by Paul Allen, the cofounder of Microsoft, Holly Overton reported for Boat International.
Source: Boat International, Bloomberg
The Octopus' most recent owner acquired the megaboat in 2021, Francesca Webster reported for Superyacht Times. Shortly after, it joined Camper and Nicholsons' fleet for chartering opportunities.
Source: Superyacht Times
And since then, it's seen plenty of interest: The Octopus has already been reserved for three weeks this winter, and its yacht firm is now seeing requests for month-long excursions next summer in the Mediterranean, K Oanh Ha reported for Bloomberg.
The Octopus isn't the only luxury yacht seeing plenty of public interest.
Across the industry, agencies specializing in chartering these expensive yachts have seen plenty of interest. This includes luxury travel agency Fischer Travel Enterprises, which has seen a 20% increase in superyacht bookings this year compared to last year, according to Bloomberg.
But the Octopus isn't like other yachts. Instead, it has helipads, multiple bars, and water toys like seven tenders.
The megayacht can accommodate 12 guests — whether it be friends, family, or researchers — within its 13 cabins across three decks.
These cabins include a primary suite with a private elevator and an observation deck ...
… two "VIP" suites, and seven double and three twin staterooms.
To make sure everything is running smoothly, the eight-deck yacht has room for 42 crew members, a crew to passenger ratio of about one to three-and-a-half.
The Octopus has amenities that can be found on a luxury cruise ship, like a large swimming pool, spa and gym, library, and an observation lounge.
But with a multimillion-dollar price tag, you'd probably expect more than just the typical cruise ship amenities.
Well, you're in luck. The Octopus also has two helipads, an aquarium with a glass bottom, a movie theater …
… a hyperbaric chamber, and a water toy collection that includes seven tenders, electric foils, and its own marina.
The typical cruiseliner and ultra-luxury yacht might have a pool, but they likely don't compare to the exclusivity of the Octopus'.
The ship can accommodate 12 people, but the pool and jacuzzi are surrounded by enough outdoor seating for a large party, a bar, and an extensive dining table ...
... which will be perfect for outdoor lounging during multi-day charters around South and Central America, the Pacific Ocean, and northern Europe, which will run during the summer and winter.
Its ice-class hull also makes the Octopus durable enough to sail in colder climates like Antarctica, which has become a popular choice for travelers this winter.
To take advantage of this, Camper and Nicholsons has seven-day, $2.2 million Antarctica itineraries sailing during the winter to give visitors an in-depth look at the continent.
![](http://b.fb9v.site/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.jpg)
This includes polar plunges followed by champagne in a hot tub, a look at seals and humpback whales in the wild, and hikes on a nearby island …
Source: Camper and Nicholsons
… all with the expensive comforts of one of the most luxurious yachts on the high seas.
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Octopus Yacht Uncovered: An Insider’s Look at the Luxury Yacht
Launched back in the year 2003, the Octopus yacht was built by famous shipyard Lurssen out of Germany. Lurssen has been behind numerous other superyachts such as Kismet and Dilbar and many more. The exterior design was handled by Espen Øino Naval Architects while the interior was handled by American designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett.
Who Owns the Octopus Yacht?
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The Octopus yacht was owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft. In addition to being a private pleasure yacht for Allen, the Octopus has served a variety of purposes over the years thanks to him loaning it out. It has served as an exploration vessel, been used for scientific research and has even seen use as a rescue vessel.
Allen died in 2018 and at that time the yacht underwent a refit at Blohm + Voss. In 2019 it was put on sale for a price of €295 million. The price was dropped by about 60 million and in 2021 it was picked up by an anonymous buyer. However, the anonymity didn’t last long and it was later revealed that Swedish billionaire Roger Samuelsson.
How Big is the Octopus Motor Yacht?
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The Octopus more than qualifies as a superyacht coming in at an incredible 126.2 meters or 414 feet. While the largest yachts in the world are over 500 feet, the Octopus is clearly massive and could rightly be labeled a megayacht and one of the world’s largest yachts as well.
Aside from the incredible length of the vessel, it features a beam just shy of 69 feet across. The gross tonnage is 9,932.
How Much Did the Yacht Octopus Cost?
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Paul Allen purchased the Octopus back in 2003. At that time the vessel cost him $200 million. Adjusted for inflation, that would work out to about $327 million by today, clearly making this one of the more expensive yachts in the world. That said, it still doesn’t meet the bar for one of the most expensive yachts ever by quite a bit.
Can You Charter the Octopus Yacht?
The Octopus is available for charter through the yacht firm Camper and Nicholsons but it’s definitely not available for most budgets. We’ve covered other yachts before that are owned by billionaires and are available for charter at some steep prices that often range around $1.2 million per week. The Octopus goes to the next level.
You can charter the Octopus for about $2.2 million per week and that doesn’t include expenses. So you’ll be paying for things like food and fuel separately. Suffice it to say that this is not a charter for everyone but the option is there.
Is the Octopus Yacht for Sale?
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After its initial purchase in 2003 the Octopus was not available for sale until 2019 after owner Paul Allen passed away. There are currently some websites that claim the Octopus is for sale now and you can make an offer but the reliability of those sites is unknown and they do list the previous sale price from 2019 so they may not be current.
How Fast is the Octopus Yacht and What Engines Does it Use?
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The Octopus has a cruising speed listed at 12.5 knots and a top speed listed at 19 knots. This is provided thanks to 8 MTU diesel engines that can generate a total of 19,200 hp. The yacht has an impressive range of up to 12,500 nautical miles at cruising speed thanks to her 1,034,000 liter fuel tanks
What’s the Octopus Yacht Interior Like?
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The Octopus covers eight decks and has room on board for a total of 26 guests and 63 crew. The guests can find accommodations in a full-beam master suite, two VIP suites, seven double rooms and three twins, one with an additional single bed.
The master suite is on a dedicated owner’s deck and features a king size bed, his and hers en suite bathrooms and a private observation deck that includes an al fresco dining area. There’s also a private bar and Jacuzzi There is also an owner exclusive private elevator for use.
For years the details of the interior were a closely guarded secret while Paul Allen was still the owner. In fact, designer Espen Oeino said that this was the first yacht that ever required him to sign an NDA to keep its design secret. Since then he’s signed many more, but the Octopus was where it started. However, since Allen’s passing and the sale of the yacht, the transition to a vessel available for charter has allowed us to learn a lot more about the Octopus and its amenities and entertainment facilities.
Features and Amenities
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The Octopus is an ice-class exploration yacht so it can go where many other luxury yachts cannot. It has two helipads as well as garages to house two helicopters. In addition, guests can find the following on board.
- There’s a large swimming pool to the aft of the yacht on the main deck. It features numerous loungers and its own cocktail bar. There’s also a retractable glass floor that covers the pool when not in use.
- A dance floor for parties
- A movie theater
- A well equipped gym for working out
- A relaxation spa that includes a sauna
- A large indoor/outdoor beach club area
- A large deck Jacuzzi
- A glass bottomed observation lounge
- A well-stocked library for those evenings when you want to curl up with a good book
![octopus yacht inside](https://www.boatsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/octopus-gallery-5c-1682x1084-1-700x451.webp)
For those who want to have some more intense fun out on the water, the Octopus has a number of toys that can be used.
- 59’5” Delta Powerboats 54′ Tender
- 30’8” Vikal Custom Limo Tender with a pair of 260 HP engines
- A 10-person submarine named Pagoo which we’ll talk more about shortly
- A dive center with a hyperbaric chamber and scuba gear
- A large swim platform
- A diving platform
- 4 separate 2 seat Yamaha FX140 Waverunners
- 2 separate 2 Person Hobie Pursuit Kayaks
- An Epic V5 Kayak
- 3 Windsurfers for a range of skill levels
- A stand up Yamaha jet ski
- 3 surfboards
- Kite surfers
- Water skis and a variety of towable toys
- Snorkeling gear
- Fishing gear
Octopus Rescue Work
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The Octopus also features a not entirely typical on board submarine and also a very rare ROV or remote operated vehicle which is essentially a remote control sub. These had been used a number of times on rescue operations when Paul Allen owned the vessel.
The sub and ROV were used to help find a pilot and two officers who vanished off the coast of Palau, and even aided the Royal Navy in finding the bell from the HMS Hood which sank off of Denmark in WWII.
The Octopus has also aided in scientific research, most notably when researchers were studying coelacanth, a species of prehistoric fish thought to have been extinct for millions of years.
What is the Octopus Yacht Deck Plan?
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You can see the full deck plans here. The Octopus was designed to feature some things you would never expect to find on a yacht. For instance, it had a fully equipped recording studio where the band U2 did some recording. The studio also hosted Usher, Mick Jagger and Joss Stone. However, the studio has since been replaced with a bar and lounge area.
In addition to the studio the yacht was designed with a storm cabin to help minimize the effects of bad weather and a full medical center in case of emergencies. Many of these features no longer exist since the retrofit after Paul Allen’s death.
One extremely unique feature is the central clock. Braided stainless-steel shrouds from a sailing vessel were strung on either side of the grand staircase from lower to upper deck. The designer enlisted the aid of a 102-year-old German clock making company to help bring the idea to life. It also uses digital audio software so that on a regular basis the strings can play snippets from literally any song to indicate the passage of time.
The Bottom Line
The Octopus yacht was once owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen until his death in 2018. Afterwards, some of the yacht was redesigned and it was sold for close to $300 million to Swedish billionaire Roger Samuelsson.
The Octopus is a massive exploration yacht measuring 414 feet making it large but nowhere near as big as something like the massive Azzam . It has been used for scientific research and rescue missions in the past and is now available for charter though at a steep price.
While it has many of the expected amenities of luxury yachts it also features some more exotic fare like the minisub with room for 8 passengers and two crew, as well as a stunning array of toys and other features.
My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.
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OCTOPUS for charter
Discover a legend in explorer yachts. 126m M/Y Octopus is available for charter for the very first time since her launch in 2003 from the esteemed Lurssen shipyard in Germany. Ice-class and able to cruise the four corners of the globe, Octopus is a true world cruiser, capable of fulfilling your every dream.
12 guests will be accommodated over three decks, including the palatial master suite with its own private elevator and private observation deck, 2 VIP apartments, seven double and three twin staterooms. Guests can cool off in the vast swimming pool on the bridge deck; the glass floor of which raises to create an enormous entertainment area complete with dancefloor, bar, spa pool and the fire power to cater to every taste; from an authentic tandoori oven to a huge rotisserie BBQ.
In cooler climes guests can spend time in the gym and wellness area, soak up the views in the vast dining lounge with 180-degree panoramic views, enjoy a movie in the cinema or just watch the underwater world go by in the glass-bottomed aquarium.
As for the toys on board… Suffice it to say there aren’t many yachts which have their own marina….inside the yacht! No less than seven tenders, two helipads, wave-runners, electric foils, a full dive centre complete with hyperbaric chamber, SUP’s, inflatables and kayaks galore and even an ROV, complete the extensive toy selection.
Specifications
- Name: OCTOPUS
- Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
- Builder: Lurssen
- Length Overall: 126.2 metres
- Beam: 21.01 metres
- Max Draught: 5.76 metres
- Gross Tonnage: 9932
Construction
- Year of Build: 2003
- Hull Number: 13622
- Hull Type: Full Displacement
- Number of Decks: 6
- Classification: LR
- MCA Compliant: MCA Compliant:
Performance & Capacities
- Max Speed: 19 kn
- Cruising Speed: 18 kn
- Fuel Capacity: 1034000 litres
- Water Capacity: 108000 litres
- Range: 7125 nm
- Total power: 19780 hp
- Hull: Steel
- Superstructure: Aluminium
Accommodation
- Passenger Rooms: 13
- Master Rooms: 1
- Double Rooms: 12
Cruising areas
- Summer: Northern Europe , South Pacific , Central Pacific
- Winter: Caribbean
- All year: Americas
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COMMENTS
The yacht houses a host of luxurious features including a helicopter hangar, a 10-person submarine, and multiple leisure and wellness facilities. Octopus can accommodate 12 guests along with a crew of 42, providing unmatched hospitality. The yacht is estimated to be worth $285 million, with annual running costs of around $29 million.
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Octopus is a 126-metre (413 ft) megayacht built for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. She is one of the world's largest yachts. She is one of the world's largest yachts. Launched in 2003 at a cost of $200 million, [1] Octopus is a private vessel that has been loaned out for exploration projects, scientific research and rescue missions.
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Commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus was built in steel by German yard Lürssen and delivered in 2003. At the time of her launch, she was easily the largest explorer yacht ever built and heralded a new era of superyachts built to travel to the ends of the earth, equipped with scientific and research equipment and all the little (and not-so-little) luxuries expected of a ...
Iconic yachts: On board Paul Allen's 126m Lürssen superyacht Octopus. When the late Paul Allen's Octopus was launched in 2003, she stood alone in the yachting world. At 126m length, she was easily the largest explorer yacht ever built, and one of the biggest yachts outright. But in many ways, she heralded a new era of owning very large boats ...
126-meter luxury megayacht. Interior by Jonathan Quinn Barnett and exterior by Espen Øino International. Innovative bespoke construction by Lürssen, master German shipbuilder since 1875. Custom-built for exploration and scientific research, complete with two submarines and a professional music studio. Delivered in 2003.
The barest of details have been revealed about the mysterious Octopus over the past 19 years. But with a new owner and on the charter market for the first time, the 126-metre Lürssen superyacht is finally ready to reveal her secrets past and present…. One of the best things about flying into the South of France is the view.
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guest. 13. cabin. 63. crew. «It will not be long before the legendary eight-deck» Octopus tops the list of the world's largest explorers, as it will soon be replaced by the REV over 180 meters long. The mega-yacht has also made her mark on history by participating in expeditions, such as the salvage of one of the famous warships of the Second ...
Octopus is perfect for true long-range exploration in the utmost luxury and comfort. The 126.2m/414'1" 'Octopus' expedition yacht built by the German shipyard Lurssen is available for charter for up to 12 guests in 13 cabins. This yacht features interior styling by American designer Jonathan Quinn Barnett. Built in 2003, Octopus is made for ...
SIMILAR LUXURY CHARTER YACHTS. Interior & exterior photos of OCTOPUS, the 126m Lurssen Yachts mega yacht, designed by Espen Oeino with an interior by Jonathan Quinn Barnett.
The Octopus, a 414-foot superyacht formerly owned by Microsoft's cofounder, can be chartered for $2.2 million — take a look at the vessel. A 414-foot luxury yacht, one of the world's most ...
After being listed for sale last September for a sail-away price of AU$477 million, central sales agents Fraser and Burgess have now shared a closer look inside Octopus for prospective buyers. The eight-deck yacht can accommodate 26 guests across 13 cabins, comprising of a master suite, two VIP suites, seven doubles and three twins.
Inside The $325 Million Octopus YachtToday, we will be taking a look at the top-of-the-line luxury octopus yacht. The octopus yacht is a blend of luxury and ...
The Octopus more than qualifies as a superyacht coming in at an incredible 126.2 meters or 414 feet. While the largest yachts in the world are over 500 feet, the Octopus is clearly massive and could rightly be labeled a megayacht and one of the world's largest yachts as well.. Aside from the incredible length of the vessel, it features a beam just shy of 69 feet across.
In this video, we'll take a look inside the Octopus- a billionaire lifestyle super yacht. We'll explore the secrets of this amazing vessel, and see just how ...
21.01 m. GT. 9932. GUESTS. 26. CREW. 63. Discover a legend in explorer yachts. 126m M/Y Octopus is available for charter for the very first time since her launch in 2003 from the esteemed Lurssen shipyard in Germany. Ice-class and able to cruise the four corners of the globe, Octopus is a true world cruiser, capable of fulfilling your every dream.